Working your accessories

Our style expert Melissa says you can easily transform a room if you’re on a budget, and one of the easiest ways to achieve great results is to use accessories. Here are some of her tips:

“I would go to places where you can get a great array of cushions for ten to fifteen dollars each, a beautiful rug or some little side tables, art obviously – there’s a really huge variety of really inexpensive art out there right now too,” she says.

Lighting is something which is often overlooked but can be a really quick and inexpensive way to change the feel of a room. “Placing some lamps is also a really nice way to bring a bit of ambiance to a room,” she says. “Always look at your light fittings, and your pendants or your down lights – to change those out always makes a difference.”

Bringing a touch of the outdoors inside also gives a room new life. “Fresh living plants or fresh cut flowers and scented candles are going to make a huge difference in any room,” she says. Using traditional pots, planters and vases or looking for ways you can up-cycle or repurpose existing vessels around your home can be a fun way to add your own personal style.

The best thing about affordable accessories is when trends change or when you’re ready for something different, they can easily be swapped out to create your next fresh look without blowing your budget.